Nick For Oregon

The Nick for Oregon campaign today voluntarily recognized its independent staff union, which is the first time workers on an Oregon statewide campaign have unionized.

Campaign staff met with gubernatorial candidate Nick Kristof and campaign management on Monday to formally recognize the union and come to an initial agreement to protect workers.

In the next several weeks, workers will enter collective bargaining with the campaign and find a union home. Workers are currently in discussion with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 5 and Local 116 (IUPAT Local 116), which supports political, campaign, nonprofit, and allied workers in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.

“However, we believe the secretary of state's office has played favorites for the Democratic leadership here. She has ignored logic and legal precedence, we think, both of which argue in favor of Kristof.”

Our opinion: Secretary of state should have let Kristof run The former New York Times writer maintains that Yamhill County is his home; Oregon case law - and common sense - back him up.

Happy New Year, Oregon!